Help Your Child Develop Study Skills: Tips on Homework

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Homework and studying, they've been around a long time and will continue to be part of youe child's education. Some children willingly tackle the task of completing homework, while others avoid it all costs. Here are a few tips for parents to help their children with the daunting task of homework.

Start your child in the homework routine early. Typically, children start receiving homework assignments in first and second grade. Usually these are not long assignments, but short lessons to reinforce what has been taught during the school day. As a parent, you should make sure your child brings the assignments home and completes them daily. If a child forgets the daily assignment, encourage him/her to bring it home the next day and complete it so the s/he doesn't fall behind.

You can develop a homework routine by having your child compete the homework at the same time each day. Schedule a time when you can be available so your child can ask you questions if s/he needs help. Also, you need to make sure the child stays on task and completes the necessary work.

Create for your child an environment that encourages him to complete homework. A diningroom or kitchen table provides a good spot because the child will have space for books, papers, etc. Make sure the lighting is appropriate, and turn off the tv or radio because they can be very distracting.

At our house before my son begins homework, he gets a small treat -- a cookie, crackers and cheese, or some fruit. Children do not work well if they are distracted by hunger, so it's a good idea to have the snack before the child starts homework.

Students offer helpful suggestions for studying:

Review with your child what homework needs to be done and the directions for its completion. This can save a lot of frustration because if an assignment is completed incorrectly because the child do not follow directions, s/he will get upset. Take time to make sure your child understands what s/he needs to do before s/he begins.You may be saving yourself and child from a lot of excess stress.

To insure homework is completed, at our home we have a rule: at least half the homework must be completed before my son can go out to play. I am firm about this rule, even if it's a beautiful day outside. In fact, one bright sunny day, my son came home with half his homework already done -- he had done it on the bus on the way home! I knew he really want to hop on his bike and ride down to the neighbor's to play on that particular day because ha had half the homework already done!

How often does your child complete his/her homework?

Books to help frustrated parents:

I do not necessarily make my son complete all his homework at once because he has problems with attention, so I have him complete part of his homework right after school and part in the morning before school. Sometimes breaking tasks into smaller chunks helps students complete work with less frustration.

Homework is a part of your child's education, so help your your child by setting up a routine and environment conducive to homework completion. You can structure success in school for your child and make the homework experience a little less frustrating.

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Julie A. Johnson 6 years agofrom Duluth, MN

Yes, education is a team approach (parents, teachers, and students), and parents need to understand the teacher's expectations. Thanks.

Knightheart 6 years agofrom MIssouri, USA

Very informative article. As a teacher, all parents would benefit with instruction on how to deal with homework. It saves both the teacher and parent a bunch of headaches if both are on the 'same' page.

Author

Julie A. Johnson 9 years agofrom Duluth, MN

Thanks for the comment, Rebecca. Yes, as children get older, it seems there is more homework and balancing homework with family time can be a real juggling act!

RebeccaTalley 9 years ago

Teaching kids to do homework definintely helps down the road. I don't like it, though, when my kids are so overloaded with homework they can't even enjoy family time. There needs to be a balance.